TORONTO – Put that one in the rear-view, Toronto FC are moving on.
TFC progressed in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs on Sunday night and will face Columbus Crew SC in Eastern Conference Final.
The two legs are set for Tuesday, November 21 and Wednesday, November 29 at MAPFRE Stadium and BMO Field, respectively.
“We're ready for the next stage,” said Nick Hagglund on Monday. “Put this one behind us. We survive and advance.”
Sunday's encounter was a testy affair; exactly how New York wanted it to be.
“They wanted it that way,” said Hagglund. “It was a tough environment: 1-0, the goal was a fluky goal, we knew that we had to grind out that win. We learned a little about ourselves – we hadn't had to do that this year. Getting to be able to do that together pushes us forward.”
New York won the battle on the night, but lost the war.
“This is what makes the playoffs the playoffs,” explained Greg Vanney. “In some ways, it's why [only] six of the former [Supporters' Shield] champions have been able to walk away with an [MLS Cup].”
“The playoffs are a strange bird,” continued Vanney. “You spend 34 games and a preseason worrying about your style; the playoffs are not about style of play. They're about getting results, winning, putting up with stuff you don't have to normally put up with. There's a whole different level of emotion. It's a cup, not a league.”
“What you have to do is adjust and adapt; do what you need to do in a moment to get to the result that you need to get. We've done that very well,” concluded Vanney. “[Sunday] night was no different.”
With 16 days between matches, TFC are looking to get back to the kind of football that saw them break records this season.
“It'll happen naturally,” said Michael Bradley post-match. “With the time off before the next game, whoever the opponent, [they] will present a totally different challenge, a totally different feel. “
“The Red Bulls wanted [chaos],” continued Bradley. “Then add in the playoffs... a season's worth of work is on the line, an entire year can be undone with one bounce, one wrong play, then it's not hard to see why the games go this way.”
“If you spend time feeling sorry for yourself, thinking, 'this isn't what we want it to look like,' 'this isn't how we normally like to play,' your season is going to be done.” explained Bradley. “Any other team would be done. We, with our mentality, determination, [fortitude] to keep going... found a way to put ourselves through. That's the only thing this time a year that matters.”
“We were on the other side of it last December,” added Bradley. “There are no style points this time of year. We would love to have games play out in a certain way because we think that's the way that gives us the best chance to win. But if you can only win games one way, if on other days things look different and you're not ready, then you're not a complete team. There isn't one person in the world who is going to guilt us into feeling sorry for advancing the way we did. Not even close.”
For Victor Vazquez, the style he epitomizes, will return: “We will find a way. Now we are in a final against [Columbus]. We will do our best; we will [play] our football.”
Though they must now wait, the break will serve TFC well.
“It [would have been] nice to get back on the field,” said Hagglund, ever-ready. “I wouldn't say it's a drag. We get bodies back, had a couple of people feeling things. It'll be nice to get everyone healthy and ready to go. Be back at full strength coming into it.”
Added Hagglund: “100% [we've hit the reset button]. [Now] it’s about regen, getting our legs ready, preparing for the next two weeks. That game is behind us; on to Columbus.”
